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Product Description
Product Description
This updated edition of The Secret State revises Hennessy's picture of the Soviet threat that was presented to ministers from the last days of the Second World War to the 1960s. He maps the size and shape of the Cold War state built in response to that perceived threat, and traces the arguments successive generations of ministers, the military and civil servants have used to justify the British nuclear capability. He also adds new material exploring the threats presented by the IRA and radical Islamic terrorists post 9/11. In what circumstances would the Prime Minister authorize the use of nuclear force and how would his orders be carried out? What would the Queen be told and when? In this captivating new account, Peter Hennessy provides the best answers we have yet had to these questions.
About the Author
Peter Hennessy is Attlee Professor of History at Queen Mary College, London, and the Director of the Mile End Institute of Contemporary British Government, Intelligence and Society. He is the author of Never Again: Britain 1945-51 (winner of the NCR and Duff Cooper Prizes); the bestselling The Prime Minister and The Secret State (all Penguin).
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
49 of 50 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Many people will have read this volume in its previous incarnation but as Mr Hennessy has added a significant amount of more up to date information since first publication, this is well worth getting even if you fall in that camp. If you haven't read this before it is obviously even more worth getting as it gives a detailed acount of British security since the second world war, with the new information adding to that of the cold war years. It chronicles many of the successes and failures, some of the humerous anecdotes and horror stories and generally much of the minutiae that goes into securing the security of the realm. For example were you aware that the prime minister of the day has to hand write instructions of when to "push the button" for our nuclear submarines which are held on board each craft. Apparently there is still at least one ship still at sea with instructions from Gordon Brown, that David Cameron will have to update on its arrival back in the UK!
What could have been a dull trawl through the archives is brought to life by the authors pithy style which makes this an enthralling and very interesting read
What could have been a dull trawl through the archives is brought to life by the authors pithy style which makes this an enthralling and very interesting read
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Having read the earlier version of 'The Secret State', I was eager to discover what the Prof had uncovered and included in this version. I am THOROUGHLY pleased with this work, very detailed, and humbling in parts. Again, a large proportion of the book is dedicated to the Cold War, when in fact I was interested in present situations, but, as the Prof works with the information released under law, which are sensitive, the main body is understandably, but slightly, dated, but still applicable. I was happy to see sections dedicated to the very purpose I purchased this book. Five star.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book was a very pleasant surprise, although full of informative cold war history covering a vast timeline it is very readable - primarily due to style it has been written in. The book which was previously published around 2001 has been re-published with more up to date information as it has become readily available through the declassification of Government documents. The book deals with the security of Britain and the challenges faced by those in power of how to best practice 'the Defence of the Realm' (whether by Cold War Bomber or contemporary terrorist). The book primarily concentrates on the Cold War and the development, planning and potential deployment phases of atomic weapons during World War Two up to current day, from their development phase and work with the Americans and then the going it alone of Britain in developing her own arsenal of atomic weapons as a deterrent during the coldest and warmest days of the Cold War. The book is uncompromising in its research and detail and takes you from the unimaginable decisions that 'may' needed to have been taken and encompasses a few anecdotes to lighten the mood. A very interesting and readable book on what was and is still is for many a contentious and vastly debated topic.
The Secret State: Preparing For The Worst 1945 - 2010
The Secret State: Preparing For The Worst 1945 - 2010
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Fascinating and well-written insight
For someone interested in the history of how the British government planned for the unthinkable scenario of the country getting embroiled in a nuclear exchange this book is... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Dr. S. Gouldsworthy
The Secret State - preparing for the worse
As someone who was brought up in the shadow of possible imminent destruction during the cold war years I thought I knew quite a bit about the subject until, that is, I read this... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Kenneth Davis
The things we don't want to think about
It's hard to describe this. The subtitle, "Preparing for the worst" comes close. It's about the apparatus that exists/has existed to deal with nuclear war; a quote from Sir Rodric... Read more
Published 17 months ago by Davey
Peter Hennessy's latest publishing triumph
This book is so much more than a revision of a standard work. The latest released official files have given this, the finest commentator on our State and its governance in defence... Read more
Published 20 months ago by CJRufus
What every thinking voter should bear in mind when supporting a leader
This is a fascinating, authoritative insight into what motivated our leaders and their advisers especially with regard to nuclear weapons. Very, very scary in places. Read more
Published 21 months ago by Roy Francis
a bit wooden and not really worth a whole book
could have been a mag article not a book so boring in part so chilling also
Published 21 months ago by Mj Oldfield
Too academic
This promised to be an interesting and insightful perspective of the secret activities of the state during the Cold War. Read more
Published 22 months ago by T Molloy
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